Chapter 16

Chapter 15

"I'm often painted as the bad guy,

and the artistic part of me

wants to hand out the brush"

It was with slight trepidation Riddhima started her journey to VR Mansion on Saturday afternoon. She breathed deeply several times, nerves and instincts unsettled. The reason being Sejal was going to visit VR Mansion today. What rattled her more was Vansh gave permission too quickly for her liking. She was hoping he would turn down her request making him look like the bad guy. She started having her lunch with Vansh. She realized after that day her efforts were worse than futile. If she did have her lunch at the hospital he will make her sit and drag his lunch for more than an hour wasting her time.

Aside from Lunch with Vansh, her last two days were pretty peaceful at VR Mansion. Aaryan was nowhere to be seen. Nobody else bothered her. Now only if today can pass just as smoothly... First, she asked Sia if her sister can visit? but her answer was "Nobody can enter this house without Vansh Bhai's permission. You will have to ask him." And so she decided to ask him over lunch.

She made up an excuse. She was too embarrassed to say the real reason for Sejal's visit. Try as she may she could not bring up the topic. At last, once they finished with the lunch she stood there as he looked at her expectantly. It was as if he knew she wanted to ask something. Finally, she gathered her courage and asked "can my sister visit me here tomorrow evening? We are going to a movie and we will miss it if I have to en route to home."

Even as she said it she realized how flimsy her excuse was. Surely he must have realized that. But instead of refusing her, he gave a broad smile "Sure. What time does she want to visit? I will inform the guards."

"Huh?" She gaped at him trying to see if he was joking.

"Close your mouth or I will have to do it for you" his voice turned deep, the smile leaving his face.

That brought warmth to her face. She quickly turned to leave. As if that was not embarrassing enough, her toe caught under the doormat. She lost balance and tripped. Vansh broke her fall as he grabbed her hand. His other hand went to her stomach. "Careful" he steadied her.

"Thank you" she muttered and scurried from there.

*****

Chandrika Rai Singhania smiled at her granddaughter as she chattered away happily. Sia looked cheerful the past few days. It was a welcome change. For most parts, her conversation revolved around her new physiotherapist. She was happy at last Sia found a friend someone her own age. She did meet Sia's doctor during the introductions. Maybe she should pay a visit to her once again...

"Dadi are you listening?" Sia called her grandmother

"Oh sorry, beta you were saying?"

"I think, I mean I may be wrong but.." Sia hesitated

"What happened Sia?" Dadi was concerned Sia never held back any information.

"I think somethings going on between Vansh Bhai and Riddhima. I am not sure but..."

"But?" Dadi's eyes widened if this is true then no one will be happier than her. 

She always prayed fervently asking Bappa not to let her grandchildren suffer for their parent's mistake. To bring some happiness in their lives. Thinking about the past was painful...

"Nowadays Vansh Bhai and Riddhima dine together on the 4th floor. The area that is restricted for everyone" she emphasized everyone "Riddhima told me, but it does not look like anything more is going on I mean it does not feel that way, am I making any sense? I am confused."

It is high time that she visits Riddhima...

*****

"I have kept Aaryan in our Lonavala Farmhouse" Aangre updated Vansh

"Security?"

"6 guards plus Shera and his family are there. What are your plans for him? Ishani keeps asking about him. I don't think he will cause any more trouble..."

"I know he won't" replied bored Vansh "I will decide tomorrow. Let's meet Riddhima's sister first."

*****

Sejal wore a strapless tight black dress which reached her mid-thigh paired with heels. She especially brought this outfit for today. She looked at herself in the mirror, 'I look sexy' she thought...

*****

What is she wearing? wide-eyed Riddhima watched her sister enter. She was waiting at the entrance door with Mrs. D'Souza who led them to the living room which was meant to be for guests.

"What are you wearing?" Riddhima hissed

"Shh...later"

*****

Sia was eager at the prospect of meeting Riddhima's sister. She was Riddhima's sister so obviously, she will be just like her. Due to her disability, Sia did not have many friends aside from Dadi and Aaryan Bhai; Ishani didn't like her and Vansh Bhai was always in his own world...

*****

Vansh was looking at the footage on his computer.

"Sia is taking them to the back garden " Aangre stated

"Let's go then."

*****

"Can we move to the garden outside? I will ask Mrs. D'Souza to serve us there." Sia made the special arrangements for this.

"No need Sia, we will leave in 10 minutes" Riddhima interrupted

"yes, I think this is better." Sejal was openly gaping in awe at the massive house and Rich interior.

Noticing Sia's sad expression Riddhima quickly iterated "I have never seen back garden. We can go."

Sejal agreed reluctantly.

*****

The garden was beautiful. There was a circular lawn with a path around it. There was a central bed of shrubs. All the flowers combined into a surreal and picturesque view over the thick greenery

"This is beautiful Sia" Riddhima commented

Sia beamed at her "I personally look after this, I love gardening"

Sejal felt irritation at the small talk she wanted to explore the house and meet Vansh not sit here with them...

"Sia? What are you doing here?" Riddhima didn't have to turn, she knew it was Vansh.

*****

Vansh lounged in his seat at the garden table a glass of wine in his hand.

Sejal's irritability had suddenly quite vanished, and her eager, piggy eyes were fixed on him with greedy expectation.

"Your house is very beautiful" Sejal was speaking with Vansh. 

She observed Aangre who was standing behind Vansh. Must be his bodyguard she thought. It was enough for her to know that this man is not worth her attention.

"Thank you for your compliment. At least you are not like some people who do not appreciate good things." he looked pointedly at Riddhima

"I didn't know you were waiting for my approval" Riddhima rolled her eyes making Sia smile.

Only if she knew how true her words were, he did all the outdoor dining arrangements in the hopes that she will like them. Seeing she was so engrossed in the garden scenery at the night of the masquerade ball he assumed she will like it. But for the last 3 days, she did not utter a word and only gave short replies when questioned.

Sejal was surprised at the way Riddhima spoke with Vansh. Sejal wanted his focus on her. She gave a false laugh and said "Oh, Riddhima don't expect anything from her. She always has blinders on like a horse."

Sia felt a smile slip from her face, as the time passed her liking towards this girl was depleting. Vansh looked at her sharply. Riddhima tried to smile, her sister was always like that, she learned to ignore her comments over time.

 "Riddhima is a wonderful person," Sia replied indignantly

"Oh of course she is but she does not know how to behave around the people of your stature. I will apologize on her behalf" Sejal replied with a coy smile.

Sejal did not notice the tension in the air. She leaned towards Vansh and said, "If I get to look around..."

"Sure" Vansh interrupted her, "I think you deserve a tour of this house" he gave the same broad smile. Sejal was on cloud seven Vansh was going to give her a tour of VR Mansion. He called a nearby servant and instructed something in a soft voice

"Maybe sometime later, we are going to watch a movie remember?" Riddhima squeezed her hand not liking the turn of events

"We can watch from the interval, the movie is not so interesting" Sejal dismissed her

*****

"What, me? This is servants work" Ishani glared at Vansh

Sejal was baffled she never thought Vansh will send her on a house tour with his sister who looked like an angry rhino at present.

"Ishani..." Vansh warned her after which she turned to Sejal "get up"

Sejal follwed her...

*****

"I think I should join them" Riddhima was scared for her sister

"You have been coming here for the past five days and not once you asked for a house tour and now you want to see it. You can check the house anytime you want but not now. Stay with Sia" saying so Vansh got up to answer a call

*****

"Boss, you sent her with Ishani, do you think she will return in one piece?" worried Aangre

Vansh turned to look at Riddhima she was speaking with Sia," I would have let her off the hook but after the way she insulted Riddhima...I think she deserves little time with Ishani" Vansh smiled wickedly.

"Both are so different," Aangre said following Vansh's gaze.

*****

What was wrong with her? Riddhima wondered. Since the time Sejal returned from her so-called house tour she was quiet. Her face looked angry. By the time she came back Vansh had left which turned her mood sour. Instead of eating outside, they took the parcel. Sejal took her plate and went to her room to eat. Riddhima tried to talk to her but Sejal said "it's nothing, I am tired"

*****

"How did you like your vacation Aaryan? Enjoying?" Vansh was pacing at the room aimlessly

"Look Vansh...Vansh Bhai I didn't know you were serious about her I would have never interfered if I knew" Aaryan was scared he didn't want a second round of basement torture

"But you knew something was different..." Vansh probed him to continue

"Well yes, I observed the way you were looking at her during the family introduction. It piqued my interest. You never objected before so I thought..." Aaryan trailed not knowing what to say which will calm Vansh

"Interesting...I never knew I will say this but you are not as stupid as you look. Tell you what you may actually become useful in the future. Aangre involve Aaryan in The Iris project. Let's see if he can deliver the commitments..."

"You are giving me a chance to work with you?" Aaryan asked in disbelief "Iris project, isn't it the same project which you took away from my dad? Why would you include me in it? And what do you want in return? I know you never offer anything for free..." Aaryan shot one question after another.

"I don't have time to answer your silly questions. But you got one thing right I don't offer anything for free. I will let you know what I want when the time is right. For now, you will come back tomorrow. Aangre will tell you some cock and bull story which you can feed to family members..."

*****

For the first time since Kabir came into the picture, Sejal felt relieved that Riddhima has someone in her life. Yesterday she felt very jealous looking at VR Mansion and her sister works there daily. And that good for nothing sister of VR... Sejal fumed as she remembered all the insults she threw at her during the house tour. From her class to fashion sense...She was humiliated.

*****

It was evening when they reached home. Just as they got out of the car Aangre got a call from one of the guards stationed outside Riddhima's home. He was tensed as he heard the news.

"Boss Riddhima left the home just now"

"Tell them to follow her" Vansh replied as he started for the house

"One of the guards heard her, she was speaking on the phone, she said 'Kabir I will reach in some time'"

Without a word, Vansh got into the car and asked for the location he was beyond angry

*****

Just as they settled at their booked table someone from the cafe informed Kabir that he got an urgent call. Kabir was confused about who will call him on the cafe phone he has his mobile with him regardless he went with them.

"Hi Riddhima, fancy seeing you here" Riddhima was shocked

There stood Vansh smiling at her but his smile held something different today she could not pinpoint

Her mobile ringed, it was Sejal. She excused herself before answering

"Come back right now" Sejal called frantically.

"What happened Sejal?"

"Just come back this is not good. I will tell you once you are back" Sejal was on the verge of crying

"Alright, I am on my way" Riddhima immediately tried to call Kabir but he forgot his phone on the table.

"Need any help?" She almost forgot Vansh was there

"Yes, Sejal called she told me to come home urgently. I don't know what's wrong"

"Okay come I will drop you" he took hold of her arm

"No" Riddhima freed her hand from his hold and said "I am here with someone" she searched the cafe. No sign of Kabir.

"I don't see anyone. didn't you say your sister say it's urgent?" Vansh tried to control his anger.

"He got a call, he must be here somewhere" even as she said this she started to move towards the backside of the cafe. Vansh was right behind her. 

Her phone ringed once again "did you leave?" It was Sejal again

Frustrated Riddhima wrote a note on tissue paper "need to leave. It's urgent. Sorry" and kept it under Kabir's mobile

As she left the cafe Vansh picked up the note crumbled it and threw it in the garbage. He took Kabir's phone and passed it to one of his guards on the way out and nodded at Aangre.

*****

Where is she? Kabir looked around the cafe. He checked his pocket for his mobile to call her but could not find his phone. Annoyed he called the waiter to ask if he knew the whereabouts of Riddhima. What he got to know left him upset "Riddhima left with some guy in a suit..."

*****

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